Global Images Contest 2008-2009

Where do we fly kites? New Delhi

WINNER

The Kidwai-Nalla canal meanders through much of Delhi’s waste, amongst which one can spot the sporadic movements of cows, stray pigs and the occasional, curious monkeys. What’s more noticeable is an array of shacks that are home to some of the 85,000 wastepickers who collect and resell recyclables from the capital’s waste. Despite their important role, the sector is often marginalized in the Indian society, their living conditions-dire, their children- rejected by public schools. Lacking of a commonspace, the polluted canal has, unfortunately, become the children’s playground. These three boys were preparing to show me how to fly the kite they had made from discarded newspaper.